Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) 28th June, 2026

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GOSPEL REFLECTION

In today’s Gospel Jesus says: “Anyone who does not take up his Cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me.” In 1917 Our Lady appeared in Fatima, Portugal to three children Lucia aged 11, Francisco aged 9 and Jacinta aged 7. On July 13th Our Mother showed the children a vision of hell, then she said: “Make sacrifices for sinners and say often ‘Oh, my Jesus I make this sacrifice for love of You, for the conversion of sinners and for reparation for sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.’” The children made many sacrifices. For example, they would often give their lunch away to poorer children. They would eat wild acorns or olives from the trees. This food was bitter. Jacinta made the remark: “because it’s bitter, I’m eating it, for the conversion of sinners.” They had stones in their shoes. They sometimes went without water – on one occasion for about a month. Closer to home Bishop Griver, Bishop of Perth, who died in 1886 nailed two crucifixes, one to his chest, the other to his back. They were discovered after his death, and he wore them for many years because the skin had grown partly over them. Sr Josefa Menendez who died in 1933: At times Jesus would have her experience the crown of thorns and the full weight of the cross on her shoulder, sometimes continually for months as a time. Yet, despite her pain she always desired to suffer more. (On June 30th, 1921, she said: “I would die if He did not uphold me.”) She also said: “I would suffer a thousand martyrdoms for the salvation of sinners.” On December 22nd, 1920, Jesus said to her: “Be on the lookout today for what costs and mortifies you most and make as many acts of love as you can.” For example, we are driving to an important meeting when we have to be on time and we get a flat tire. What we should do is immediately offer it up for the love of God, the conversion of sinners and reparation for sins committed against the Immaculate Heart. Then we should rejoice by giving praise to God, because merit or Grace has been given to the world. Later that day we are belittled by someone. Once again, we have the opportunity to offer it up for the love of God, the conversion of sinners and reparation. Also, then to rejoice because Grace or Merit has been given. Our Lord added: “How different a soul would be if they knew this secret… how dead to self they would become.” On June 15th, 1923, Jesus said to Sr Josefa: “Nothing done in love is small. There are no small things in My sight, for the very force of love makes them great.” Therefore, even a small sacrifice gives great Merit or Grace, because God cannot be outdone in generosity. On one occasion, a morning prayer group played loud music in the hall. A neighbour came to complain. This neighbour can be verbally aggressive. On one occasion he removed the power cord from the socket on the wall, to unplug the speakers. When I saw him, fear gripped me. It was an unusually great amount of fear. I cried out to Jesus, “I know you will look after this situation.” But the fear remained. I then said to Jesus: “I willingly accept the fear for love of You and the conversion of sinners and reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Mary. Then God’s Grace must have been given to me, because even though the fear remained, it no longer unsettled me. When he saw me in that state he completely calmed down. St John Vianney, who died in 1859 was known for his sufferings/penances. Satan revealed to him that his penances had saved 80,000 souls in one year alone, and that if there were just three people like him in the world his (satan’s) kingdom would be destroyed. The Cross can change the world. The power of the Cross was seen most clearly on Calvary. The Crucifixion of Our Lord gave Merit or Grace to all creation over all time and that Grace or Merit will never diminish. Human beings are fulfilled only when we can die to self in order to make a difference to someone else. Our Lord taught us how to live. He never for a moment lived for Himself. He lived only for us, even to death on a Cross. He is an Offering Incarnate, because He is Love Incarnate. Our Lord taught us how to live. We know the answer. Lord, we pray that every person may understand and live the spirituality of the Cross where we will understand that the Cross is not our greatest negative, but our greatest positive.  Amen.

By Fr Doug Harris